Book Review
Former Secretary of Defense tells how to be
a passionate leader
One top book reviewer says almost any manager or hopeful has a book on how to lead people, but none will give career-changing advice like Robert M. Gates does in A Passion for Leadership.
Gates is best known as secretary of defense under George W. Bush (replacing Donald Rumsfeld) and under the Obama administration until 2011. Previously, he was director of the CIA.
In his book, he compiles a list of recommendations for leaders of all sorts, from Boy Scout troop leaders to managers and corporate CEOs.
Many are familiar, such as: set deadlines, don't micromanage change, empower subordinates, cooperate with the media, and be prepared to act alone.
Among his more surprising suggestions, Wall Street Journal reviewer Matthew Rees says Gates emphasizes:
* Don't focus on reorganizing staff or structure because it's distracting to the organization.
* Be wary of consensus, which invariably yields the lowest common denominator results.
* Set short deadlines in order to focus attention on an effort and signal its importance, which creates momentum.
Gates preaches the value of civility and of work-life balance. While heading the Pentagon, he says he never went to the office on a Saturday.
He appears to be the opposite of former Apple executive Steve Jobs, who prized secrecy. Mr. Gates values internal transparence.
A Passion for Leadership may persuade some readers to take the rudiments of authority and command more seriously and they may even take leadership training. Gates' only training was in 1959 when he attended a program by the Boy Scouts, which he now leads.
A Passion for Leadership by Robert M. Gates, Knopf, 239 pages, $27.95.
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